@wxrld-xf-cxts from here

She could tell that he was happy, and she didn’t quite want to ruin the moment for him, so her gaze went over towards the kitchen.

They needed an outside opinion, and he seemed as if he would be someone Dianne confided in, given their personalities.

And so, she kept herself in the corner of the door for a moment, averting her gaze before looking back over towards him. “Keiichiro... Can I get your opinion on something?”

With asking that, she stepped into the room, letting the kitchen door flap closed. “It’s about Dianne... I’m worried...” Really worried...

@wxrld-xf-cxts​ from here

She didn’t quite understand the situation. After all, it wasn’t every day that you get randomly approached about taste testing. She could vaguely recall seeing his face when going through the day to day cameras, and so she knew which cafe he was referring to.

“I didn’t know that cafes started doing this...” Yet again, it’s been a while since she had been out, so... “What exactly is it you want me to taste test?”

@wxrld-xf-cxts​ from here

That was the thing he didn’t understand. The fact that, overall, it has never been a temporary thing. She has been enduring this for years. So, so many years... And it only feels worse than ever before, as if it only ever got worse instead of better. 

She had been staring down at the ground for a moment, knowing that he was just trying to make her feel better. But it was hard to feel as such knowing that it only ever got worse over time. She’s being overworked, not by them, but her mother. The treatment at home has gotten worse, and the list of suitors that have appeared before her only continue to grow by the day. Ultimately, she had no choice but to suffer, that is what her role was meant to be.

Even so, she forced a smile onto her face, gaze reaching the other. That gentle, usual smile that only he has noticed faltering due to her opening up to him. “Yes... I suppose you do have a point. It will get better, it just... Takes time, is all.”

She felt bad for lying, but... What else can she do?

@wxrld-xf-cxts​ from here

She had been expecting one, and only one, slice of cake upon ordering. But to see two, along with the note, confused her all the more. She couldn’t help but assume the idea of pity being put upon her. 

Despite hating the idea, she took it. After all, this was her dinner for the night.

She was slow, not overly so, but enough to savor it while trying to be quick so that someone else could use the table in a timely manner. After all, it was more profitable for the business in question to not keep someone like her for too long...

@wxrld-xf-cxts​ from here

“There’s no need to wake him. If he’s asleep... I don’t want to bother him if he’s finally getting some rest.” Entering into the cafe, she allowed herself to get as far in as she possibly could, before it felt as if her legs couldn’t move anymore. 

Looking down at her hand, her attention moved back over towards the other. “I simply... Needed somewhere to stay for night, if at all possible. If not, I will simply stay for a short time then be on my way.”